Some of the top business leaders in Illinois are speaking out in favor of marriage equality in the state. Top executives from companies including Barclays, Aon, Hyatt Hotels, Ernst & Young, J.P. Morgan, the Chicago Cubs and Johnson Publishing spoke out in favor of legislation that would bring marriage equality to the Prairie State.

The business leaders spoke out through Illinois Unites for Marriage. In the letter, the pro-equality executives noted:

To be competitive, a state must create an equitable, fair and respectful environment for all of its citizens. For this reason – among others – it is vitally important that Illinois lawmakers enact marriage equality soon.

Marriage equality would strengthen the workforces of Illinois employers, who know there is no substitute for employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Companies must understand a changing marketplace and be able to connect with their customers; having a diverse workforce is part of that. That’s one reason many employers have adopted non-discrimination policies and offer domestic partner benefits.

Marriage equality promotes economic development, too. According to the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute, allowing same-sex couples to marry would generate between $39 million and $72 million in revenues for Illinois businesses, creating $4.5 million to $8 million in new sales and lodging tax revenues over three years.

HRC is a proud member of the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition. Similar to coalitions that HRC helped lead in Maryland and Washington, the Illinois Unites for Marriage coalition is coordinating lobbying and public education efforts in support of the marriage equality bill there.